Sensory Toys

What Are Sensory Toys?

Sensory toys give children things to touch, squeeze, shake, press, mould, move, hear or look at. They can include textured toys, rattles, mirrors, activity toys, modelling compounds, sensory sand, fidgets, squishies and toys with pieces that can be stacked, sorted or moved.

Different toys use different features. A child might squeeze a soft toy, shake a rattle, feel contrasting fabrics, roll modelling compound, mould sand, press buttons, stack blocks or move pieces with their hands. Some toys also use lights, sounds or movement.

Sensory Toys for Babies

Baby sensory toys can include different fabrics, rattles, mirrors, crinkle sounds, soft books and activity toys. Babies can hold, touch, shake, listen to and look at these features while handling the toy.

The ToyTown range includes baby and early years sensory products from brands such as Fisher-Price, VTech and Ms Rachel. Features vary between products, so check the recommended age and individual product information when choosing a toy for a baby or young child.

Sensory Toys for Toddlers and Children

Toddlers and older children can press buttons, stack blocks, squeeze soft toys, sort pieces, shake toys, roll and shape dough, mould sand and move parts with their hands.

Kinetic Sand can be squeezed, pressed, moulded and shaped. Play-Doh can be rolled, flattened, pressed, cut and reshaped. The HSE also identifies playdough as a sensory activity involving actions such as rolling, squeezing, shaping and pressing.

Squishies and Fidget Toys

Squishies are made to be squeezed, pressed and released. Different products can feel soft, springy, jiggly, sticky, filled or slow to return to shape. The texture and rebound depend on the individual squishy.

The Squishies collection at ToyTown.ie includes products from brands such as Scrunchems and MushyKinz, with food shapes, character designs, Taba squishies and other squeeze toys. Smaller fidget toys can also be pressed, turned, moved or handled repeatedly.

Sand, Dough and Slime

Sand, modelling compound and slime give children materials they can manipulate directly with their hands. They can squeeze, roll, stretch, flatten, press, mould and reshape them.

Kinetic Sand can be packed into moulds, pressed flat or shaped by hand. Play-Doh can be rolled, squeezed, flattened, cut and moulded. Slime can be stretched, pulled and squeezed. Check each product for its recommended age, contents and safety information.

Sensory Toys for Autism and Different Sensory Preferences

Sensory preferences vary from person to person. Some autistic children and adults may prefer soft textures, squeezing or moulding, while others may prefer movement, sounds, lights, firmer textures or toys they can press and handle repeatedly.

When comparing sensory toys, look at the features of the individual product, such as texture, sound, movement, size and the actions involved. The recommended age and product information should also be checked before choosing a toy.

Sensory Toys for Adults

Adults also buy sensory and fidget toys such as squishies, squeeze toys and handheld fidgets. These products can offer different textures, resistance, movement and ways to occupy the hands.

Some fidgets can be pressed or turned, while squishies can be squeezed and released. Check the individual product description for its size, texture, materials, age guidance and other product information.

Buy Sensory Toys Online in Ireland

ToyTown.ie stocks sensory toys online for delivery across Ireland, including baby sensory toys, Kinetic Sand, Play-Doh, squishies, sensory blocks, fidgets and activity toys. Individual product pages show the age guidance, contents and features supplied for each item.

You can also shop sensory toys at ToyTown Longford. ToyTown is a Toymaster Superstore in Longford, with click and collect available for online orders.

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